5 Types of Preparation Categories for Beginners

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by Brokor, Jan 22, 2011.


  1. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    It is a good idea to prepare for as much as possible, but in the event of TEOTWAWKI (The end of the world as we know it), there really isn't a lot beyond what I have listed as the basics which will help.

    Therefore, in order of that which is most LIKELY, I list the following:

    PERSONAL LOSS / EMERGENCY
    This is the most likely to take place, and requires some basic preparations and common readiness. It could be a job loss, or a personal injury that could set you back. Perhaps a fire in the home or some other emergency may occur. The first thing you should do is have plans set for every possible scenario in this set. This would include proper medical kits in the home and garage, an adequate stockpile of food and water (basics), and more than one storage point for your stored goods (don't keep it all in one basket) to never be without what you need when you need it. Practice fire drills and install excellent smoke detectors and other safety equipment. Train your children at the task and make it a weekly event. Finally, keep a spare list of emergency contact numbers at multiple locations.

    NATURAL CATASTROPHE
    This is always a possibility, and is likely to occur. The basics will cover most of the needs you may have, but special attention may be needed for water and security. Having a method to sanitize and filter water will be crucial, and owning canisters to store water will be just as important. An alternate means of travel and escape may be required, to include a good 4wd vehicle or a boat in the case of flooding.

    ECONOMIC COLLAPSE
    (requires the basic preparations listed above) Somewhat likely scenario worth preparing for. In the event of an economic crisis, most of the infrastructure will remain intact. Services just won't be as dependable or as affordable as before. Security, food, water, and a means to store wealth and accumulate essential items is most important. Again, the basics.

    SOCIAL DISORDER / RIOTS (also requires the basic preparations listed above) This is a possible occurrence. In this scenario, security will become a primary concern. Building strong ties with neighbors and planning emergency travel routes are highly important. Again, this will not be permanent, and plenty of infrastructure will remain.

    WROL / ANARCHY (not nearly as likely as the previous scenarios) The importance of having adequate security and communications with an emergency channel of informed neighbors will be most helpful. Again, the basics also apply.

    NUCLEAR / BIOLOGICAL / VIRAL PLAGUE / ARMAGEDDON
    (worse case scenario) Not nearly as likely as any other scenario to plan for, this is the extinction level event that really cannot be fully prepared for short of having a fallout bunker 2 miles under the earth with 20 years supply of everything needed. The best you can do in this situation is to follow the basics and hope for the best. Naturally, those who prepare best *might* be better off at first, but all bets are off on this one. This is the least likely scenario to take place, and as such, it requires the least of your attention.

    The purpose of this post is to help the beginner to understand the differences between various levels of preparation, and to help them distinguish between likely and less likely happenings. Organize your life's preparations around the most likely to take place, and do not waste too much effort with being sidetracked with the details of misinterpreted ideologies and predictions that offer little to no solution.
     
    Ganado, 3M-TA3 and chelloveck like this.
  2. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Preparation categories may prove to be important to those who would like to distinguish the important reasons to prepare from less important ones.
     
    3M-TA3 and chelloveck like this.
  3. DKR

    DKR Raconteur of the first stripe

    My $0.02 is that - while not as sexy as some bit of 'survival gear' - basic homeowners or renters insurance is a must.

    I cannot count the number of times we have seen some local on the TV, burned out of their rental unit crying their eyes out about having lost everything...and no insurance. At $8 to 10/month, it will provide some funding to get some clothes, kitchen stuff, etc.
    It sucks to be poor, been there, have the T-shirt. Sucks even more to be on the street with just the clothes on your back...
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2015
    Ganado and natshare like this.
  4. natshare

    natshare Monkey+++

    Let me add my 2 cents to DKR's. In addition to having the insurance, spend the extra few bucks a month, and get REPLACEMENT VALUE insurance coverage! Then do yourself a great big favor, and do these two things:
    1. go around and take photos of everything, as well as writing down model and serial numbers on ANYTHING that has 'em, then,
    2. put all that info onto a jump drive, and e-mail it to yourself, at a web-based e-mail address. That way, when your house ends up looking like my rental house did (nearly 9 years ago, now), you won't have to remember everything you had! Trust me, when it's all gone, blown away, or covered with a foot of attic loose-fill insulation (as mine was), it's damn near impossible to remember everything you had....and the insurance guy is only going to cover you for what you tell him you had!!

    PS - this damage was from a natural gas explosion :eek:
    100_0280s. 100_0283s. 100_0284s.
     
    DKR, Ganado, 3M-TA3 and 1 other person like this.
  5. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    Great topic, @Brokor, and well articulated! I started prioritizing my preparations based on the likelihood of an event earlier this year. I think that social breakdown is a time related function of most of the other categories that likely starts after the first two or so weeks.
     
    Ganado likes this.
  6. DKR

    DKR Raconteur of the first stripe

    Gas explosion. I was going to ask if it was payday at the sheep station... Glad to see you survived the blast!
     
  1. Coyote Ridge
  2. Yard Dart
  3. Yard Dart
  4. fl4848
  5. Motomom34
  6. Motomom34
  7. Yard Dart
  8. Yard Dart
  9. Yard Dart
  10. Coyote Ridge
  11. Motomom34
  12. Meat
  13. Meat
  14. 3M-TA3
  15. Yard Dart
  16. hot diggity
  17. DarkLight
  18. Yard Dart
  19. Motomom34
survivalmonkey SSL seal        survivalmonkey.com warrant canary
17282WuJHksJ9798f34razfKbPATqTq9E7